About Mithila Sanskritik Parishad, Kolkata

Organised and established in 1959, Mithila Sanskritik Parishad, Kolkata was recognised by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi as the First Literary Association in 1965. During these 53 years Parishad has made remarkable contribution in progress, development and conservation of Maithili script, language, literature, arts and culture

It has published 32 books. "Naika Banijara" (by Brajkishor Verma "Manipadma") a novel based on folklore won Sahitya Akademi Award. Other novels of Manipadma based on folklore "Lorik Vijay" and "Dulra Dayal" together created fresh interest in the studies of Maithili folklore. It has restored the glory due to the heroes of folklore - those who are loved and adored by the people of Mithila.

With the publication of Balchanama (Yatri) the concept of the son of the soil came to stay in Maithili literature. Every publication of Parishad has been well received and appreciated by the readers. Some of them are in the syllabus of Universities and "Lorik Vijay" is in the syllabus of U.P.S.C

It is up to our imagination how Vidyapati looked like. Artists painted him as they chose to. It was a historical achievement of Parishad to get a picture of Vidyapati approved by Posts & Telegraph Deptt. A commemorative postal stamp was issued with the picture of Vidyapati.

Parishad was instrumental in nomenclature of Mithila Express, the train that departs from Howrah and touches many districts of Mithila in route.

Maithili speaking people have been using Devanagari script for about a century now. All the works till 19th century are in Mithilakshar. Parishad has taken that at least some of us should be familiar with Mithilakshar (Tirhuta), our traditional script.

In the census report of 1951 people of Mithila felt that the number of Maithili speaking people was not recorded honestly. Parishad took up the task of arousing mass awareness for future census.
Parishad approached the competent authority of All India Radio (Akashvani) for arrangement of broadcast in Maithili from Darbhanga and Bhagalpur Radio Stations.

Parishad repeatedly contacted the members of Parliament and Bihar Legislative Assembly/Council from Maithili speaking constituencies to raise their voices for development of Mithila.

In its annual programmes Parishad always selected items that exhibited some of the salient features of Mithila art and culture. Traditional songs and style of singing were preferred in the Programmes organised by Parishad.
Parishad is aware of its national duty. It donated according to its capacity in the National Fund. It has rushed to the people whenever they are in trouble caused by flood, earthquake etc.

Culture is there in the centre of all that Parishad does - Culture that really leads us towards welfare of the society. That is what Mithila Sanskritik Parishad has been striving to do these 53 years. And it has miles to go. Culture is our most important heritage. Parishad is dedicated to conserve and preserve it to hand over to the future generations.